Next morning, we meet our across the pool neighbours, Mandy and her daughter Kate, who are from Maine. Mandy has been here nearly a month and will be heading home on Thursday. We’re at an elevation of 5,100 feet and according to Mandy, the weather has been perfect! It warms to between 27 and 30 by the mid-day, but cools off just right to be able to sleep under the covers at night . . . awesome!
As well, Mary Jean Gagnier, the owner of Casa Murguia introduces herself and checks that we have everything we need. This is one of her two homes here so she is not always around. She also owns a horse ranch outside of the city where she lives part time and runs a horseriding enterprise for tourists and locals alike. We get a few tips and directions from her for the area. We’re in need of clean clothes and she advises that the lady just across the street is very reputable and she believes can offer a one day service. So we gather our dirties and head off the property in search of ‘lavendaria’. It is indeed just across the street and down two doors but those doors appear to be locked and we notice that there is very little activity anywhere . . . ah-ha, the holiday! The shop owner across from her, back on our side of the street, sees what we’re doing and walking out to the middle of the street tells us (all in Spanish, of course) to just go ahead and ring the buzzer and she will open the door. We do as he says, and sure enough behind the yapping of a couple of small dogs, we hear “una momento” and the door opens. We are greeted by a woman, who upon seeing our bag in hand, welcomes us inside with a very big smile. This is one of those closed doors that, from the street, you have no idea what’s behind. Well, there’s a parking space behind which appears to be her home. To the side is the Laundromat. The business is clearly closed today but she has us follow her in, turning lights on as she goes. She takes our bag, weighs it, fills out an order form with our name, the colour of the bag, it’s weight and the price. She tells us (by writing it down) it will all be ready tomorrow at 6pm . . . will that be alright? Yes, indeed! Great service . . . with a smile . . . just like (our) Southside Laundromat!! And all for only 83 pesos . . . about $7 Cdn.
Later we head the 5-6 blocks down the street to Barrio La Merced where we were told we’d find the nearest fruit/veg market to stock up our little kitchen. Not all of the stalls appear to be open . . . again the holiday (we assume) but we find more than enough to make our own breakfast and lunches for the next few days. Even though we now have food in the house . . . we head back to the Zocala for our evening meal as it is the actual holiday day and we’re sure to find more activity there. We were not disappointed . . . not quite as busy as the previous night but still a buzz. It’s also a great place to enjoy a cappuccino and people watch.
As well, Mary Jean Gagnier, the owner of Casa Murguia introduces herself and checks that we have everything we need. This is one of her two homes here so she is not always around. She also owns a horse ranch outside of the city where she lives part time and runs a horseriding enterprise for tourists and locals alike. We get a few tips and directions from her for the area. We’re in need of clean clothes and she advises that the lady just across the street is very reputable and she believes can offer a one day service. So we gather our dirties and head off the property in search of ‘lavendaria’. It is indeed just across the street and down two doors but those doors appear to be locked and we notice that there is very little activity anywhere . . . ah-ha, the holiday! The shop owner across from her, back on our side of the street, sees what we’re doing and walking out to the middle of the street tells us (all in Spanish, of course) to just go ahead and ring the buzzer and she will open the door. We do as he says, and sure enough behind the yapping of a couple of small dogs, we hear “una momento” and the door opens. We are greeted by a woman, who upon seeing our bag in hand, welcomes us inside with a very big smile. This is one of those closed doors that, from the street, you have no idea what’s behind. Well, there’s a parking space behind which appears to be her home. To the side is the Laundromat. The business is clearly closed today but she has us follow her in, turning lights on as she goes. She takes our bag, weighs it, fills out an order form with our name, the colour of the bag, it’s weight and the price. She tells us (by writing it down) it will all be ready tomorrow at 6pm . . . will that be alright? Yes, indeed! Great service . . . with a smile . . . just like (our) Southside Laundromat!! And all for only 83 pesos . . . about $7 Cdn.
Later we head the 5-6 blocks down the street to Barrio La Merced where we were told we’d find the nearest fruit/veg market to stock up our little kitchen. Not all of the stalls appear to be open . . . again the holiday (we assume) but we find more than enough to make our own breakfast and lunches for the next few days. Even though we now have food in the house . . . we head back to the Zocala for our evening meal as it is the actual holiday day and we’re sure to find more activity there. We were not disappointed . . . not quite as busy as the previous night but still a buzz. It’s also a great place to enjoy a cappuccino and people watch.
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